The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-08-24
LONG BRANCH LOUNGERS.
GEN. ECKERT HAS HIS MUSIC DE-
LIVERED BY TELEPHONE

Mr.. George Washington Childs, A. NJ,
Makes the Acquaintance of Mrs.
Lily Langtry, Actress - Types of
Summer Character.
FFon, the Nep York Sun
LONG BRANCH, Aug. 20-Mrs. Langtry
has captured and monopolized the observa-
ton of the Branch. Shesbegan week ago
by hiring one of the two gorgeous villas
owned by Phil Daily, the gambler, who runs
the Pennsylvania Club. Phil built those
houses several years ago for residences for
his own and brothers families Into his own
he put a private chapel, like a miniature
church, with an altar where his wife. q
pious lady, might say her prayers. The
decorations, as well as the architecture,
were unique and gaudy. Phil lives here this
season on the immense profits of his
gambling establishment, but his brother
has not occupied the other house this year,
and Mrs. Langtry rented it, The price
which she is said to have paid was 81, O00for
August and September; and the figure is
reasonable, considering that the premises
are luxuriously furnished Mrs. Langtry ar
rived like a circus. Her wardrobe and other
lllACNi oNdllAg -lOuI UuiJhS, anu
along with them were nine labelled IF.
Gerhard, New York. Accompanying her9
Rather. He is not only domiciled with her
at the DAILY villa, but tho public rarely sees
her without him. The mutual admiration
and devotion of the pair are conspicuous.
They go to Monmouth Park on three
afternoons a week to see Freddys horses
beaten; they go to the noon concerts
at the West End, and also there
arin
and other fellows; and frequently they
waltz in the hotel parlor, observed by eager
throngs Of men, women and children. The
manner in which the PEOPLE jostle and
crowd to get a sight of the Lily doesn't look
polite; and yet, as she is there for exhibit
ton, why should they deny themselves and
her the pleasure of staring! Her acting on
these occasions is as good as anything she
does on the stage. By 10 gesture OF vince
does she betray her knowledge that she and
Freddy are not off somewhere in the wilder
ness, with no human eyes on them. She is
self possessed, calm, and intensely lady
like in department.. Does the gaze of the
multitude really annoy her? | guess not;
else why does she submit herself to
it! She goes to battle where there
is the biggest crowd, which, of course, null
tiplies as fast as the word spreads that she
is there In the surf she wears a con-
coming to her knees and the trousers puck
ering at her ankles. On these occasions she
shows to good advantage, because her figure
is first rate, except for large hands and feet,
and her complexion stands daylight and the
oceans glare admirably Discussion of the
question whether she is superlatively beau
tiful wakes warm My own opinion is that,
while her features are not fine, she is so
clean, healthy and fair that she may justly
DE called very pretty.
Mrs Langtry has had offers from several
publishers of novels. They desire TO put
out stories under her name as authoress
She has never tried to write fiction, and
declares that she has no talent in that direc-
ton; but that would make no difference,
since the use of her name is all that is
desired. 1t is understood that romance is
now being written, and that, if she likes it
in completion, it is to be issued. At present
she is devoting to her theatrical business all
the time that she spares from diversion.
Her preparations for the ensuing dramatic
season, however, are not extensive. She
contemplated magnificent production of
"Antony and Cleopatra" but has aban-
doned the project, presumably because her
great financial success with lighter plays
renders the work and expense unnecessary
Her leading actor, Charles Coghlan, is here,
and sometimes he accompanies her on the
road and in the surf but she and Gerhard
are inseparable companions. He introduces
his friends to her without apparent hesita-
ton, but the acquaintance in every case
proves casual, and nothing indicates that
She has changed her mind since saying that
she will marry him whenever she gets free
from her husband
The one gentleman upon whom Mrs Lang
try has smiled winningly here is none other
than Mr.. George Washington Childs. A. M.
But he is no sentimental rival of Gerhard.
His attentions to the beauty are wholly pla
tonic. She was taken up and doomed by the
Prince of Wales set in London; why
shouldn't Mr.. Childs follow suitl The pre-
liminary approaches are understood to
have been made by the actress She
intimated to him through an obliging
third person that she wished to attend
divine service last Sunday in the Elber-
ron Church--the one in which he has lately
built Grant memorial window. He placed
pew at her disposal. Next, she met him
in a hotel parlor, where he was presented to
her. At the close of this interview she in
vited him to call on her. He did so on the
ensuing day, greatly to the surprise of
neighbors, who had put her under social
taboo Last evening Mrs. Langtry drove
to the Childs villa, and there dined with the
great editor and philantaropist. And yet
some folks wonder what the summer resi-
dents at Long Branch find to talk about.
Mr.. Childs Is an embodiment of bland,
urbane dignity. To SEQ him in group in
hotel parlor, otherwise composed of
Freddy Gebhardt, Larry jerome, Charley
Coghlan and the Langtry, is the spectacle
of summer Mr.. Childs is equalled in
courtliness by one gentlemen at Long
Branch, and he is Ex-Governor Bedle, of
New Jersey, who is spending the season at
the same hotel where the Childs-Langtry
tableau was seen. Mr. Childs took occasion
to wander to Mr.. Bodies side.
'Ah, how dye dol.' he said, shaking the
others hand; "let me introduce the Jersey
Governor TO the Jersey Lily
THANK you-thank you" and the usually
composed politician almost stammered in
confusion: 81 really can't-friend watt
ng-must CO." and away he went
IL is astonishing how many Of the SEEM
ing pleasure seekers are here for business.
A dapper young fellow, wearing fashionably
good clothes, and lounging idly about the
hotels during the forenoons and evenings, is
never seen Mt the shore afternoons He is
then at the races. So are thousands of other
chaps. But he has curious employment
there -Four times in as many years have
the pool sellers and bookmakers of New
York city been swindled by false reports Of
the races. Shrewd rascals have tapped
their private wires, forwarded wrong
names, and so led them TO pay heavily on
tickets previously bought by con
federates. Nobody has any sym
pathy for professional gamblers when